My Declaration of Freedom

My brothers and sisters, Genesis 1:24 tells us that we were created in God's image and in his likeness, but in the midst of this peace and tranquility between man and God in crept this three letter word called sin. It was sin, that caused Adam and Eve to be expelled from the garden of Eden. It was sin, that caused the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Ghomorrah. It was sin that caused David to cry out in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

But here in our text Paul stops to let his readers know that they hve been delivered from the power of the law and sin, through Jesus! He begins our text with a powerful statement saying, "There is therefore (for this reason) now no condemnation (punishment)...." Well, what or who is the reason Paul is speaking of? I'm glad you asked! The reason is Jesus!

Because of Adam all men are condemned. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." But in Jesus, there is no condemnation (punishment), because the penalty for sin ahs already been paid and you have been declared not guilty!

The first two verses of Romans 8 show how the law of sin and death is deprived of its power to bring believers again into bondage, because of their relationship with Jesus.

John 3:18 (NKJV)
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:24 (NKJV)
24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Romans 5:16-19 (NKJV)
16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

Not only has your relationship taken te power from sin and death, but it made you FREE!

John 8:36 (NKJV)
36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 8:34 (NKJV)
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.